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CEDAR CITY — A Cedar City man has pleaded guilty to murder for his role in the slaying of another man.
Eric Rodriguez, 31, pleaded guilty in an agreement with prosecutors Tuesday to murder, a first-degree felony, while additional charges of aggravated burglary and obstructing justice were dropped. Rodriguez is the third person to plead guilty in the death of 45-year-old Shawn Leroy Multine.
Multine's stepdaughter, 19-year-old Clarissa Bulletts, pleaded guilty in December to manslaughter and obstructing justice, second-degree felonies, and was sentenced to concurrent terms of one to 15 years in prison.
Bulletts' ex-boyfriend, Angelo Seth Carrasco, 35, pleaded guilty later that month to aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, while charges of aggravated burglary and aggravated assault were dismissed.
Police say Bulletts was the driver on Oct. 21, 2014, for Carrasco, the accused gunman, and Rodriguez. Bulletts gave the men a rifle that was stored in the trunk of her car, charges state, and sent Multine a text message trying to lure him out of his apartment to a secluded location.
When the text messages didn't work, Bulletts waited in the area where she had stopped while Carrasco and Rodriguez went to Multine's apartment, 179 E. 575 North, charges state.
Rodriguez tried shouting at Multine from outside the home while Carrasco waited with the rifle, police said. Finally, Carrasco forced his way into the house and shot Multine.
Police say Rodriguez helped to dispose of the rifle, and Bulletts drove the men from the area.
Rodriguez is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life in prison and will be sentenced May 10. A jury trial for Rodriguez had been scheduled to begin next week.
Sentencing for Carrasco is scheduled for April 22. He is facing either 25 years to life in prison or life without possibility of parole.
